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Community

General news which affects the Molokai community in one way or another.

Molokai’s Renewable Energy Future Looks Bright

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Molokai’s Renewable Energy Future Looks Bright

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Reporter

Molokai has completed its roadmap to take the island to 100 percent renewable energy. It’s the result of a community-driven planning process that energy officials call the first of its kind. Led by the Molokai Clean Energy Hui, residents are now poised to take the next steps in bringing their plans to reality. 

“All of the renewable energy we have [currently], which is about 14 percent, comes from 500 or so rooftop systems on homes and businesses,” said Leilani Chow. She’s energy coordinator at Sust’ainable Molokai, which has spearheaded the Molokai Clean Energy Hui. “And [up until now] everything else has kind of been rejected by the community because these projects were designed and proposed by off island groups that were just severely misaligned with community values and lifestyle.”…

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Fire Sparks Concerns

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Fire Sparks Concerns

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

Last Sunday, Nov. 5, a fire ignited along the side of Maunaloa Hwy., just before Kaluakoi Rd. By 4:25 p.m., firefighters from stations in Kaunakakai and Ho’olehua had responded to the scene, successfully containing the blaze within an hour. While the fire only burned about an acre of land, residents are concerned that it could have been much worse. 

“We dodged a bullet,” said Norm Rizk, president of the West Molokai Association (WMA), which represents over 800 homeowners. 

Nov. 5 was a red flag day across Maui County, with low humidity and high winds driving up the risk of fire.…

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10th Floating Lantern Ceremony

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

10th Floating Lantern Ceremony

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor 

Dusk on Molokai’s southern shore brought residents together in memorial of their loved ones on Nov. 4. The 10th anniversary of the floating lantern ceremony brought a combination of sadness and celebration, with the lights of the paper vessels fading into the night along the shoreline at the Molokai Community Health Center. 

Molokai’s Guzeiji Soto Mission started their floating lantern ceremony 10 years ago, in collaboration with Hospice Maui on Molokai. 

“[We] thought this would be a cool event for the community to not only remember but honor loved ones,” explained Lisa Takata, president of the Guzeiji Soto Mission. …

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Eat Local Challenge

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Eat Local Challenge

Ho’omakua Farm News Release

Led and inspired by our friends over at @projectlocavore (projectlocavore.com/) and the Facebook Group @ eatlocalmaui we on the Facebook Group @eatlocalmolokai are joining in for the one-week-annual Eat Local Challenge and would love for you to join us from Nov. 12 to 18! This is a community-building initiative, designed to promote awareness of our local food system, the sharing of resources and recipes, getting to know your farmers and neighbors, and taking personal steps towards strengthening our local food future. Let’s begin to break our dependence on imported food by identifying and supporting our local farmers and home-grown value-added products, as we try to eat 100 percent Hawaii grown foods for seven days. …

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Zen Lecture and Shojin Ryori Lunch

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Guzeiji Soto Mission News Release

Join the Guzeiji Soto Mission and Naoko Komagata Moller for a Zen lecture and Shojin Ryori lunch Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Guzeiji Soto Mission located at 80 Hotel Lane. Reserve a seat by contacting guzeijisotomission@ gmail.com or (808) 658-0943. The cost is $35. 

“Shojin-Ryori”, Zen vegetarian cuisine, is the basis of modern Japanese cooking. 

Zen vegetarian cuisine refers to vegetarian dishes prepared in temples. It was established and deepened by Dogen (1200-1253) the founder of the Soto- Zen Buddhist sect. 

Zen cooking is not just about cooking with recipes; it is also about your attitude and manner towards cooking with a joyful and nurturing heart and mind: to pay attention and to be present in the moment while you cook and eat. …

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Thank You for Your Aloha and Support

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Thank You for Your Aloha and Support

Molokai History Project News Release 

These are busy days at the Molokai History Project as we have more and more visitors, repeat guests, helpful comments, wonderful donations, and folks volunteering to be docents. Our walls are full, our display cabinets constantly rearranged to make room for new items. We want to thank everyone for taking an interest in this project and supporting us. Due to several suggestions, and the fact we have docents who know the history of Molokai and are anxious to share their knowledge, we will have an informal “talk story” event every Monday morning from 8:15 to 9 a.m.,…

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See What We Can No Longer See, Hear What We Can No Longer Hear… Part Two

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Community Contributed

By Keomailani Hanapi Hirata 

As we drove down the dusty dirt road leading to Molokai Komohana, to Mo’omomi, the view of our Wahi Pana of Kawa’aloa, Kaiehu, Keonelele, Kalani, and Kapalauoa, made us smile with humbleness. We could see and hear our kupuna welcoming us. Birds playing and circling around us, the gentle and comfortable sea winds blowing around us, sounds of the oceans, the taste of the salt in the air, the rich colors of life all around us, this is our Kupuna greeting us with their Oli Komo. Kumu Mililani Hanapi went straight to the shoreline and gave an Oli aloha.…

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Alan Yoshimitsu Uemura

Wednesday, November 15th, 2023

Alan Yoshimitsu Uemura, age 74, of Kualapuu, Molokai, HI, passed away at home on Aug. 3, 2023. Born, April 14, 1949 in Hoolehua, HI, he is survived by his mother Pearl M. Uemura, and brothers Carl and Tracy. A celebration of life will be held on Molokai at Kaoaini Beach Park, AKA Old Del Monte Beach Park, Dec. 9, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Casual attire. …

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A Happening Halloween

Wednesday, November 8th, 2023

A Happening Halloween

By Jack Kiyonaga, Editor

Molokai took to the streets last Tuesday to celebrate Halloween. One well-attended event was HallowHim, which was held for the first time at the Molokai Community Health Center and offered games, music and hotdogs for those attending. 

“It’s a safe place where people can bring their families,” explained Pastor Randy Manley of the Molokai Baptist Church, one of the organizers of the night. “It’s special to see the community in one place, to see all the kids and the smiles.” 

Ranch Camp was the most popular neighborhood for trick-or-treating with an endless stream of costumed keiki and parents winding their way from house to house.…

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Molokai-Made Film ‘Kala’ Packs Powerful Messages

Wednesday, November 8th, 2023

Molokai-Made Film ‘Kala’ Packs Powerful Messages

By Catherine Cluett Pactol | Reporter

The Molokai cast and crew behind a new short film hope its poignant messages will open up community dialogue about addiction, recovery and family relationships. “Kala,” a 20-minute narrative scripted film, is written and directed by Molokai filmmaker Matt Yamashita.

“At its core is the theme of healing through forgiveness,” said Yamashita. “It revolves around the relationship of two estranged brothers who had a falling out and hadn’t spoken to each other in years because of the main character’s history of substance abuse.”

“Kala” had its world premiere on Molokai last month and has since received honorable mention at the Hawaii International Film Festival.…

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